This Week! Patient Advocacy Organizations Host Free Webinars

Free Latex Webinars

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics and the American Latex Allergy Association (ALAA) invite members of the public, healthcare practitioners and food service workers to participate in two free webinars held in observance of Latex Allergy Awareness Week, the first week of October.

Their first webinar, “Latex Allergy 101,” will look at the signs and symptoms of life-threatening latex allergy reactions, and how to respond in an anaphylactic emergency. Presented by Kevin Kelly, MD, pediatrician-in-chief at North Carolina Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill, it will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. ET. Register here.

Their second webinar, “Hidden Latex Allergy Dangers in Food Service,” will look at the specific problems of latex in restaurants and other food settings, including cross-reactivity with some foods. Presented by Michael Zacharisen, MD, board-certified allergist at Family Allergy & Asthma Care of Montana and Anaphylaxis Community Expert (ACE) volunteer in Bozeman, Montana, it will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. ET. Register here.

Free Asthma Webinar
We know that recent data from the Centers for Disease Control indicates that, in the United States, about one in 12 people have asthma, making it one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. Asthma is responsible for 1.5 million emergency department visits each year, significantly impacting the live of patients and costing the U.S. approximately $56 billion each year in medical costs, lost school and work days, and early deaths.

From Oct. 5–11, the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is recognizing Asthma Week at the ATS and presenting information for experts and patients. On Oct. 8, a webinar “Pioneering Medical Perspectives on Childhood Asthma” will be presented by Robert J. Freishtat, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Register here.